Pongal Trade: Special Article

Although there have been only two pongal releases this year, thankfully both did not disappoint. While one is a lighthearted study on the state of education in India, the other is an out and out entertainer. One week down their release, here's a take on what their status is at the box office.

Nanban: 

Nanban was riding on huge expectations before its release and boy has the movie fulfilled them? It seems to have. Owing to the hype, the movie was released on 12th Jan and since there were no new releases on the 12th and 13th of Jan the movie cashed in on the opportunity and raked in enough moolah.

It's not one your regular mass entertainer. Other than the obvious facts about it being the remake of a hugely successful Bollywood movie, Nanban stands apart for Vijay's realistic performance, something of a rarity that you wouldn't get to see that often, the flamboyant Shankar's rather subtle portrayal of friendship and the perfect casting.

Vettai:

Known for his fast-paced action entertainers, Lingusamy is back after his successful Payya. Vettai has Madhavan and Arya in the lead and Lingusamy ensured a racy screenplay making the movie entertaining.

What sets Vettai apart from the usual commercial potboilers is that the movie does not take itself seriously at any juncture. Add to it a youthful starcast of Maddy, Arya, Sameera Reddy and Amala Paul you get the winning formula.

Amala Paul has undergone a delightful transformation with her colorfully skimpy clothes for the Kattipudi song. If that's not enough to arouse your, you know curiosity, there is also Sameera Reddy who does her best to entertain you.

Nanban's huge expectations and Vettai's interesting promotional tactics worked well making the two movies successful attempts, opening account in 2012.

• Nanban chronicles